Woman Adopts Dog, a Decade Later Makes Shocking Realization: ‘I'm So Sorry'
After struggling to bathe her dog, one pet parent finally discovered a simple adjustment that completely changed his reaction to bath time, prompting a public apology for 10 years of misunderstanding.
In a March 10 TikTok video posted by @aublayton, owner Aubrey shared that bathing her now-17-year-old rescue dog had always been a battle. From the day she adopted him, she described bath time as a struggle in which she would have to “fight” him while he scratched, kicked and tried to escape the tub at all costs.
For years, she assumed her doodle simply hated baths. But, after a decade together, Aubrey says she realized the issue wasn’t water itself. It was the temperature.
An article from Hill’s Pets notes that dogs may resist bathing for a range of reasons beyond a simple dislike of water, including uncomfortable water temperatures, slippery surfaces, and negative past experiences that create lasting fear or stress associations with bathing.
While the poster had always used lukewarm water, she discovered her senior canine preferred something much hotter than expected, describing it in the video as “boiling.” Rather than trembling or trying to escape, he relaxed. He stayed still, calm and content while Aubrey bathed her dog for the first time without a struggle. Shocked, she wrote in the clip, “I’m so sorry,” to the simple misunderstanding.
The video quickly struck a chord online, gaining over 3.2 million views, more than 147,800 likes and hundreds of comments from TikTok users sharing their own pets’ unusual bath-time preferences. Some joked about their canines demanding spa treatment, while others questioned Aubrey’s decision to join her dog in the bath.
“I know those cold old bones ENJOYED that bath!!” wrote a viewer.
Another added: “Not him being like, ‘Why do YOU get warm showers and I DON’T?'”
Someone else joked: “Ma’am, I hate to break it to you. But your dog wants a hot tub, preferably one with those water jets AND mood lighting.”
Newsweek reached out to @aublayton via TikTok for additional information and comment.
Why Bath Time Is Often Stressful for Dogs
Veterinary behavior experts note that bath time can be stressful for canines, not simply because of water itself, but due to the full experience surrounding it. According to pet care guidance from Chewy, many dogs struggle with bathing because it removes their sense of control and exposes them to unfamiliar sensations, including running water, restraint and sudden environmental changes.
The article explains that successful bathing often comes down to reducing stress triggers and creating positive associations, such as a calm routine, gentle handling and making the experience feel predictable rather than overwhelming. In other words, what owners often interpret as “hating baths” may actually be a reaction to discomfort, surprise, or anxiety.
When it comes to temperature, canines are also highly sensitive to extremes. A general rule of thumb is that a dog’s comfort level is similar to that of an infant: if the water feels too hot for a person, then it is likely too hot for a pup as well. Getting the temperature right can therefore play a key role in whether bath time feels stressful-or unexpectedly enjoyable.
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 12:48 PM.